Feeling the squeeze in Gaza as Egypt border closes

July 6 - Gaza residents say the situation in Gaza is becoming unbearable after Egypt closes the border crossing after attacks in the Sinai Peninsula. Deborah Lutterbeck reports.

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A market in Gaza bustles with activity Saturday but some fear for the future as the crossing into Egypt remains closed.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) GAZA RESIDENT, KAMAL KHUDRA, SAYING:
"The crossing has been closed, the tunnels are shut down. There are no goods, no construction material, no fuel or gas. All this affects us, the simple people who live day in day out in this city."
Egyptian security forces closed the crossing between Gaza and Egypt Friday, after Islamist gunmen staged multiple attacks on security forces in Egypt's troubled Sinai Peninsula.
The attacks took place shortly after the Egyptian army removed Egyptian president Mohamed Mursi from power but it is unclear if the attacks were related to the news.
Adding to shortages -- a recent crackdown on smuggling tunnels by the Mursi government resulted in a fuel crisis with some pumps now running dry in Gaza.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) TAXI DRIVER, AKRAM ALHILO, SAYING:
"It ran out, we don't have any in stock, now we are suffering, every day we suffer more. Every day that passes, the country gets worse for the residents, taxi drivers, merchants and the whole country."
And there is no relief in sight with Egypt saying the border crossing will be closed until further notice.
Egypt has struggled to control security in Sinai since the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

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